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LÉWÀ – the Yoruba word for “beautiful” – is the culmination of Mr. Austin’s five-year photographic journey counterbalancing and navigating the realms of societal prejudices and norms. Containing over 100 exquisitely produced original photographic works, LÉWÀ is as much an oeuvre of extraordinary artistic distinction as it is of social and political commentary. The book includes a foreword by The Tenth Magazine founder Khary Septh and text by writer & linguist Kola Tubosun.

⚫ About the artist
Luke Austin is an Australian photographer based in Los Angeles. His portraiture work focuses on the energy, beauty, and vulnerability associated with male youth. He began exhibiting his portraiture work in 2011, following a successful decade working in fashion photography, and has exhibited in Sydney, New York, Florida, and Los Angeles.

⚫ A comprehensive breadth of his work can be viewed at www.lukeaustinphoto.com. His Instagram handle is @lukeaustinphoto.

⚫ Artist’s statement
“The decision to make this book came from me wanting to open up conversation about what I had noticed when posting portraits of POC next to portraits of white people. The difference in love and attention each received. I also knew I had a great collection of portraits of black men that were different to what I had always seen in the pages of male portraiture coffee table books. I feel that black men are usually photographed as objects with a focus on muscles and often sexualized with a focus on their private parts. My portraits are a softer more vulnerable capture of each model’s beauty. A beauty that I want racist white America to really see. I also think any imagery that distances black men from the common discussion and stereotype of them being rough, scary, hood, thug, etc. is incredibly important.”

⚫ Scheduled events
Launch events for Los Angeles, New York, Berlin and Madrid are scheduled for February and March 2018. Luke Austin will be present for all these events.

⚫ Publication specifications
LÉWÀ (beautiful), Luke Austin, 2018
Art / Photography
Hardcover with slipcase, 148 pages
9 inches x 11 inches
Printed in California
The event will in conducted in English, with Romanian translation.
The event is part of the LGBT History Month.
The event made possible with support from Cărturești and MozaiQ.